By Josephine Obute
Princess Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, global cultural ambassador and wife of the Ooni of Ife, has tasked women to get involved in all sectors of the economy towards boosting global productivity.
Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, founder, Africa fashion week London and Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).
She said her message for women was to encourage their inclusion in all sectors as it would boost the image of the nation and the global environment.
She said that women should participate in public and private engagements towards contriuting their quota to the development of humanity and their chosen endeavours.
She congratulated women who have diversified in more demanding ventures due to the current economic hardships thereby assisting their husbands and children.
“We should do away with the tokenism offered to women in the public and private work space as this will assist in gradually eradicating the self limiting beliefs society has placed on women.
“Women are very intelligent and creative and need to be encouraged to perform better, they serve diligently in any office they hold because they are exceptionally intelligent,” she said.
She appealed to investors to have greater interest in investing in businesses owned by women because they are more reliable in loan investment.
“I feel more investment should go towards women owned businesses and access to borrowing for women should be made easier.
“Banks, investors and business finance teams should have special programmes for women by sensitizing them on what they stand to gain if they cooperate among themselves.
“We need to trickle down to the grassroots as women are known to be the best borrowers because they are always faithful in the culture of pay back,” she told NAN.
She said that the Ooni of Ife has promoted and assisted several women through the annual Queen Moremi initiative, African Fashion Shows and lots more.
“The efforts of the monarch encouraged me to write books for young ladies of today to know about great women of old and be inspired by their stories.
“His encouragement also extended our cultural tourism beyond Nigeria into other countries such as London, Brazil, and beyond,” she said.
NAN reports that the 2023 theme for the IWD celebration is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
(NAN)
